The NBA Eastern conference playoffs in the first round flew by. Each series didn't last anymore than six games. And, the favored team won each series, except for the Bulls/Sixers series. And, Philadelphia only won that because Chicago's best two players went out with injuries. Derrick Rose went out in game one with a torn ACL, and then in game three, Joakim Noah went down with a severely sprained ankle. And, no team can overcome that. But, now on to the previews!
No. 8 Philadelphia 76ers vs. No. 4 Boston Celtics
This is a classic match up. But, the only team which is classic is Boston, as they still have the big three, and with them, they are a very formidable force. Plus, Boston has a top five point guard in Rajon Rondo, who plays with a reckless abandon that you like to see out of players. Boston plays a very tight defense much like Chicago, which will give the 76ers a lot of trouble. Plus, with Philadelphia's shooting woes, shooting less than 40% in the previous series, they will be hard pressed to advance beyond Boston. The only way Philly has a shot is if they play a very fast paced up and down type game.
Pick: Boston in 5.
No. 3 Indiana Pacers vs. No. 2 Miami Heat
Now with the Bulls out of the picture in the Eastern Conference, the Heat have a clear path essentially to the NBA Finals for the second consecutive year. The reason for that is because who in all reality expects the Pacers to take the Heat on and beat them in a seven game series? Nobody, not even those from Indianapolis. That's because the Heat have the MVP of the league in LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and a big man in Chris Bosh. Granted, the Pacers have played very well throughout the season, but to stop a runaway freight train takes something more than the Pacers have.
Pick: Miami in a sweep.
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